Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Her tone was unnatural. Yu Qizhi spoke this way, her fingertips unconsciously tugging at the hem of his nightclothes, creating a slight crease where the gold thread was embroidered.

Yu Qizhi's behavior tonight was particularly solicitous, making it easy for anyone to guess that she wanted something from him.

She still had the habit of wearing her thoughts on her face.

"Tell me." Pei Jing’s expression remained unchanged.

It was rare for Yu Qizhi to ask him for anything.

"My aunt's illness has become increasingly unstable; we can't delay any longer."

The scratch on Yu Qizhi's cheek, inflicted by Aunt Han's fingernail, began to ache again: "Aunt lost her mind after my little brother went missing, so I thought, if we could find my little brother..."

They say that heartache requires a heart remedy. She thought that if she could find her younger brother, perhaps Aunt would recover?

However, Aunt had searched all over Luo County without success back then, and now, years later, there was no place left to look.

But maybe Pei Jing had a way?

Pei Jing knew about Yu Qizhi's missing younger brother.

"First you plead for your brother, now you want to find your little brother. You truly are a filial daughter," the man's voice was low, tinged with a hint of mockery.

Yu Qizhi wasn’t deaf to the sarcasm in Pei Jing's words.

She lowered her eyelashes: "Actually, my little brother's disappearance is partly my fault."

"If I hadn't been so playful back then, Aunt wouldn't have needed to come out looking for me, and my little brother might not have gone missing..."

The night her little brother disappeared, coincidentally, was when Yu Qizhi's father came to visit Aunt Han at their residence in Luo County.

Worried that she would run around and cause trouble, Aunt locked Yu Qizhi in the room. As a child, Yu Qizhi was often sick and prone to fevers. That night, she was burning up, but Aunt Han didn't come to release her from the room for a long time.

By the time Yu Qizhi managed to climb over the wall and escape the house, she nearly fainted on the roadside. It was a kind passerby who took her to the clinic.

In the end, Aunt found her anxiously at the clinic. When they returned home, her little brother, who should have been at home, was gone.

Pei Jing's gaze fell on Yu Qizhi's cheek.

His rough fingertips touched the red mark on her skin, causing Yu Qizhi to gasp softly in surprise, lifting her eyes to look at him: "Crown Prince..."

Her skin was very fair, making the red mark stand out prominently.

Forget it.

Pei Jing thought. Yu Qizhi's aunt was seriously ill, and as a daughter, it was natural for her to be anxious and worried.

After all, that was her aunt, wasn't it?

...

After this incident, Yu Qizhi's attachment to Pei Jing remained as strong as ever. To others, their relationship seemed sweet and intimate.

One morning, Yu Qizhi received an invitation from Zhou Wanniang, inviting her to pray at Baiyun Temple in the outskirts of the city.

It had been some time since their last visit to the Dali Temple Undersecretary's residence with Pei Jing. Before leaving, Yu Qizhi mentioned this to Pei Jing and asked for his opinion.

Yu Qizhi asked Pei Jing if her interaction with Zhou Wanniang would affect him in any way.

Pei Jing seemed somewhat surprised by her question. He glanced at her: "If you want to go, go."

"Take more people with you," he added.

Yu Qizhi nodded, smiling at him.

Baiyun Temple was bustling with worshippers. Yu Qizhi met Zhou Wanniang at the foot of the mountain.

"I waited until the weather warmed up before sending you the invitation," Zhou Wanniang greeted Yu Qizhi warmly. "I heard that day the snow was heavy, and your carriage broke down halfway. It was Pei Commander who personally rode back with you to the residence."

Zhou Wanniang teased: "You newlyweds are indeed cherished. Your Commander treats you like a treasure, Ao Ying."

Yu Qizhi blushed slightly and looked away, saying after a moment: "Let's head up the mountain quickly."

Zhou Wanniang enjoyed teasing Yu Qizhi, partly because Yu Qizhi wasn't someone who put on airs, and partly because it was amusing to see how easily Yu Qizhi blushed.

Halfway up the mountain, in front of the temple, Yu Qizhi held the incense sticks and bowed three times in silent prayer.

"I heard that praying here for blessings and protection is very effective. This incense, Ao Ying, is for Pei Commander, right?" Zhou Wanniang asked after finishing her prayers.

She and Yu Qizhi were now quite familiar, and their conversation was not awkward.

Amidst the swirling incense smoke, Yu Qizhi devoutly placed the incense into the burner. Hearing this, she smiled at Zhou Wanniang.

Yu Qizhi dared not lie before Buddha.

She prayed—

For Aunt's illness to improve, for the souls of the thirty-two members of the Feng family in Luo County to rest in peace.

But she did not pray for Pei Jing.

Pei Jing, she believed, would rise to great heights regardless of her prayers.

...

Late at night, inside the North Yard of the imperial palace, Pei Jing leaned back in a round chair, closing his eyes for a brief rest.

The first month of the New Year has passed. As the head of North Yard, Pei Jing did not need to stay up late in the palace every day.

However, today, the Emperor and Empress Meng summoned him for a secret meeting overnight.

The elite troops of the Jin family had been back in the capital for over a month by imperial decree, yet the Emperor had not summoned any member of the Jin family.

The Jin family was highly respected among the troops in the Northern Frontier, and the Emperor still harbored concerns, fearing that the people and generals there recognized only the Jin family, not the royal family.

Empress Meng, who was Pei Jing's aunt, spoke on behalf of the Emperor, as he remained silent.

Empress Meng subtly engaged Pei Jing in conversation about the remaining two brothers of the Jin family, asking about their characters.

She then asked Pei Jing which of the two brothers would be more suitable to remain in the capital to serve His Majesty.

Many years ago, when Pei Jing was young, he had apprenticed under Jin Cheng, who was not yet a general, learning martial arts and military strategy. Naturally, he was familiar with the Jin family.

Anyone hearing this would understand that Empress Meng's casual inquiries also served as a test.

The palace banquet was scheduled soon. Pei Jing lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest, knowing that at the event, the Emperor would make a decision regarding the two candidates from the Jin family, as well as Jiang Luoyi and her son...

Pei Jing closed his eyes to think, but involuntarily, the scene of Yu Qizhi splashing water by the lake that day appeared before him.

A brief moment of rest amidst his thoughts.

Yu Qizhi was still playing by the river, looking younger than her age, with full and smooth cheeks. Unlike her usual frail and delicate appearance, she looked healthy and vibrant, her misty eyes now shining with a light he had never seen before.

In her tightly clasped hands, she held a river fish and excitedly shouted to someone nearby: "I caught it!"

She placed the fish in the basket and glanced around casually.

She saw him, or perhaps she didn't see him; her gaze was not cold, just like how one would treat a stranger.

"World Prince," Weichuan's footsteps approached.

Pei Jing had already woken up, puzzled by the strange dream he had just had.

"What is it?" he asked.

Weichuan reported the official matters as usual and then replied to Pei Jing:

"We have found some clues regarding the disappearance of the lady's younger brother, but..." Weichuan paused for a moment before continuing, "our sources also revealed that the lady once had an fiancé who died."